New Hampshire Governor Signs Order to Advance Offshore Wind Development

Republican Governor Christopher Sununu signed an executive order on Dec. 3, establishing four advisory boards to inform the state’s next steps for offshore wind energy development. The order also calls for a study on the emissions reduction potential of offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine, as well as the state’s existing port and coastal infrastructure and opportunities to attract offshore wind supply chain opportunities. New Hampshire is preparing to join a growing number of east coast states that are spearheading the industry, with offshore wind commitments of about 20 gigawatts by 2035.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management accepted New Hampshire’s request for an offshore renewable energy task force for the Gulf of Maine, in regional partnership with Massachusetts and Maine. Governor Sununu wrote to the bureau in January requesting a task force to facilitate coordination between federal, state, and local governments on commercial leasing proposals.

The advisory boards, which represent multiple industries including fisheries and endangered species, workforce and economic development, offshore industries and infrastructure, will advise New Hampshire members the BOEM task force throughout the process. The joint study, to be conducted by the Office of Strategic Initiatives, Department of Environmental Services, and Department of Business and Economic Affairs, is to be completed before the start of January 2021.